Read Online Tall Poppies by Janet Woods - Free Book Online

of Phillips’ Milk of Magnesia.’
    â€˜I keep it there for medicinal purposes,’ Connie said hotly.
    â€˜Of course you do, and thankful I am for it too, since I felt quite ill a moment or two ago.’ Tipping the glass up, Florence downed the liquid in one long swallow, sighed, and said, ‘I had a backache caused by Mrs Mortimer sticking her knife between my shoulder blades. The brandy has relieved the pain no end.’
    This time Livia began to laugh.
    Connie couldn’t hide her grin. ‘Have you set the table out like I asked you to, Florence? They’ll be home before too long.’
    â€˜Don’t you fret, it’s all ready, and I’ve stoked up the fire so the drawing room is good and warm. Oh yes  . . . and while you were all out a gentleman from London rang. Couldn’t hear him very well because he whistled, as though he had false teeth that were a bit loose in his head. But he spoke really posh, and said his name was Sturgeon. He wants the major to telephone him as soon as he comes in.’
    â€˜Livia can pass the message on to the major while she’s supervising the table. Better go and get your apron on, love. I want to inspect the table, because the major can be very particular. Florence, you go up to the landing on the stairs and keep a look out for them. Let me know as soon as you see them come down the driveway. I’ll make the tea in the big teapot then, and carry it through, so it doesn’t get stewed. You can bring the hot water jug.’
    It wasn’t long before the drawing room was thronged with people, all dressed soberly and talking in hushed tones. Most of them had come from the church and had traipsed dirt across the hall from their boots. Livia had a glimpse of Florence with dustpan and brush rushing to-and-fro so it didn’t get trodden in.
    When the major approached to get something to eat, his blue eyes gazed into hers. He smiled. ‘It’s Livia, isn’t it? I’ve been given to understand that my late wife thought very highly of you.’
    â€˜She was a nice woman; a real lady. We got on well together, and I’m going to miss her.’
    â€˜Quite. You’ve grown into a beautiful young woman since the last time I saw you. ’
    A faint blush rose to her face and she didn’t know what to say. She remembered the message with some relief. ‘There was a telephone call for you when you were out, Major. It was from a Mr Sturgeon in London. He wanted you to call him as soon as you were able.’
    â€˜Sturgeon  . . .?’ He shrugged. ‘I can’t recall anybody by that name.’
    Livia hoped she didn’t give offence when she told him, ‘Florence said the gentleman had a distinctive voice  . . . an impediment . He lisped.’
    His brow cleared and he gave a low chuckle. ‘I imagine Florence meant Sir John. Thank you, young lady. I’ll go to my study and ring him from there.’
    He left, threading his way through the crowd and stopping for just a moment to speak to Mrs Mortimer.
    She crossed to where Livia stood, frowning. ‘You should have given me the message to pass on to the major. Do you know what it was about?’
    â€˜No, I don’t, Mrs Mortimer. Perhaps the major will tell you if you go and ask him.’
    She was the recipient of a hard look.
    Dr Elliot edged Mrs Mortimer out and filled his plate with sandwiches, giving her an apologetic look. ‘I’m sorry if I appear to be greedy. I’ve been flat out all morning and didn’t have time to eat. Everyone who is suffering from spring fever imagines that they’ve caught the Spanish flu. How are you, young lady?’
    â€˜How do I look?’
    â€˜As lively as a flea on a dog. I heard from Denton yesterday. He asked me to say hello on his behalf if I happened to run into you, and he said that he hopes you found your sister and brother in good